Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1887-04-25
AN OLD CHIEF,s NOBLE ACT.

during the war q c0mpAn I'll A.
Delaware Indians attacked . sn -.
taohment OF the British troops, an.
fAated tht N. As the Indians had gre.
~ the advantage Of swiftnets Of foot,
snd wero eager for the pursuit, very |
few Of the fuaitives escaped, and those /
who fell into their hands were treated |
THO OF The Indisus came 40 wi.b a
young officer, and attacked him with |
great fury. As they were armed with |
Itomnhawks, he had no hope OF escape, |
and thought only Of selling his life rs
dearly as he could but, just At this
crisis, another Indian came mp. who
seemed to be advanced in yearS, and |
was armed with bows and arrows.
The old man instantly drew his bow,
but, after having taken his aim OF the
loficer, he suddenly dropped the point
Of his arrcw, and interpreted between
him apS his put suots, who were about
TO ont him TO pieces.
The old man then took the officer by
the hand, soothed him into confidence
BY caresses, and having cont ucted him
to bis hut, treated HIN With kindness
which did honor to his professions. He
made him less slave than cOmpau
ion, taught Elm the LANGUAGE OF the
Ioountry, and instructed him In the rude
arts that are practiced BY the inhabl-
ltants.
They lived together in the most cor
dial amiIy, but ometimes tho old
imam fixed his eyes upon him. end
having regarded him for some minutes
sTlth 4 cain and Silent attention, burst
Into tears.
). In the meantims tia spring returned,
"a ha1 n
their arms, again took the field. The
Iold man, who was still vigorous, and
liable to bear the fatigues Of war, set out
with them, and WAS accompanied by
his prisoner.
They marched above two hundred
leagues across the forest and came at
length to q plain, whero the British
forcts were encanpod.
The old man showed his prisoner the
tents ut distance; At the Same time ra
7 marked his countenance with the most
{diliEeEt attention.
"rhcre," eays he, "are your country
linen; there Ia the enemy who wait 10
give uS battle. Remember that have
i saved thy life. that / have taught tnet
0 to construct o canoe, to arm thysell
with bow mud ariowe; TO surprise the
beavar In the forest, 10 WELD the toma
= hawk. and to scalp the eusmy. Wha
, vast thou when l frst took thee to my
uIhrt? Thy hands were like thoes OF al
~ infant; they were neither ct 20 seour'
l. ithee sus.enauce nor safety. Thy sou
tvas In utter dark ness; thou wast IL
Jnorant Of everything, and thou owes
:. all things 10 nae. Wilt thou, then, q
Y over to thy nation and take up tn
= Ratchet against us?"
Tho nffiCar vapltaN. ttThaf ha xuop h
= rather loss his wn life than take tina
Z Of his delrvcrer
e. The Iudiau then Bonded down hi
head, and covering his faca with bot
II hands, stood some time client; ther
~ looking earnestly at his prisoner, b
pe said, In . voice that was at once softes
/ ed by tenderness and gries:
T. "Hast thou farhei?"
e. my fs.ter," said the young mt
"wxs alive when left my country
Il ALAS" said the Indian, Tho
TX wretohec Iuust he bel"
- He paused momeat. and then a
ded:
P- "Eost thou know that have been
N. fathef; i am father no more-f IA
~. my son fall In battle--he fought at n
side-I saw him expire; but he di
" like . mamie WAS covered wi
It's. wounds wben he fell dead at my feet
l:tf but have reveuRed him!"
)N} He pronounced these words with Il
ian utmost vehemence; his body shook wi
,eh A'aniversal tremor, and he was almo
stft1ed with signs that he would n
IT., suffer TO escape him.
roei There was keen restlessness In b
uieye, but no tear would now to his
n At length he became calm by dsgre,